The university has chosen a pair of prominent black women to address the graduating classes at its campuses in Camden and Newark.

Anita Hill, a pioneer in the fight against sexual harassment, and the New Jersey-bred hip-hop icon Queen Latifah will speak at graduation ceremonies at Rutgers University this spring.

Rutgers officials said the two African-American women were selected because of their life's work as strong female leaders and role models.

Hill became a household name in 1991 when she testified about sexual harassment she allegedly faced while working for ClarenceThomas, who was being considered for the U.S. Supreme Court when she came forward.

Anita Hill speaks at a discussion about sexual harassment and how to create lasting change from the scandal roiling Hollywood at United Talent Agency on Friday in Beverly Hills.(Photo: AP PHOTO)

She sparked a national conversation about sexual harassment and has been hailed as a pioneer in women's rights, especially in light of the current #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault.

Hill is a professor of social policy, law, and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Brandeis University.

She will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rutgers University–Camden during the Rutgers Law School commencement ceremony on May 17, and will deliver the keynote address for the Class of 2018 at that ceremony.

“Prof. Hill is one of our nation’s most powerful voices in addressing equality and discrimination, and has re-emerged as a central figure in the current national discussion regarding sexual harassment,” said Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Phoebe Haddon.

“Her career is a living testament to her commitment to the idea of equity in access in myriad ways, particularly regarding the importance of equal rights for women."

Queen Latifah will deliver the keynote address at the Rutgers University−Newark Commencement Ceremony on May 14 at the Prudential Center, where she'll also receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Born in Newark and raised in East Orange, Queen Latifah has earned a Grammy, Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards and two Teen Choice Awards, among other accolades.

She rose to fame as a musician and went on to act in movies, including the 2017 comedy “Girls Trip.”

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She’s also known for giving back to her communities. Queen Latifah founded a scholarship foundation for low-income youth and has worked to address home foreclosures in disadvantaged neighborhoods. She also has supported Let Girls Learn, the campaign started by former first lady Michelle Obama that aims to provide support to 62 million girls around the world who do not have access to education.

"Queen Latifah has been a consistent supporter of Newark and a source of inspiration for creative people and entrepreneurs in our city and throughout the world,” said Lyneir Richardson, executive director of the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at Rutgers – Newark.

The commencement speaker for the main campus in New Brunswick has not been announced.

Rutgers was embroiled in controversy in 2014 when it had selected another black woman of national prominence — Condoleezza Rice, then the secretary of state — to speak at commencement. Rice backed out after some students and faculty members protested the choice, citing her involvement in the decision to invade Iraq during the Bush administration.